Kit For Providing An Image On A Substrate

ABSTRACT

A kit for producing optically variable images is disclosed wherein the kit includes a special effect pigment having particles that are magnetically alignable, a magnet for aligning the particles and a scribing tool for personalizing an image. Alternatively or in addition the kit can include e-field responsive flakes in a carrier vehicle and an electric field source for aligning said flakes. A stylus may be included for moving or changing the alignment of a portion of the flakes that have been aligned in the magnetic or electric field.

FIELD OF THIS INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a kit for producing opticallyvariable images and in one aspect, more particularly to a kit thatincludes a special effect pigment having particles that are magneticallyalignable, a magnet for aligning the particles and a scribing tool forpersonalizing an image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Patents referred to in this specification are incorporated herein byreference.

Printing kits of various types are well known and have proven to beuseful in assisting and motivating adults and children to becomeinterested in the printing arts. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No.5,435,240 in the name of Fromm describes an educational device in theform of a children's pad printing kit includes a smooth, preferablytransparent, transfer sheet upon which images may be drawn or traced,one or more water based felt tip ink pens, and a deformable rubber-liketransfer pad which is capable of lifting off an image from the surfaceof the transfer sheet when the rubber-like transfer pad is placed intocontact with the ink image on the surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,111issued May 11, 1999 in the name of Lindsey discloses a part printing kitfor use at children's parties or other special occasions. The kitincludes a T-shirt or similar article of clothing with pre-printedindicia, indicating the nature of the occasion or displaying a company'slogo or other identifying phrases. The pre-printed indicia may alsoinclude directions for using the kit as described following. The kitincludes a variety of fabric paints, a backing material to prevent thepaints from bleeding through the fabric, brushes, markers and the likesuitable for use on fabrics, and instructions. The purpose of the kit isto allow the participants at the special occasion to decorate the shirtwith their handprints.

Within the last several years, optically variable pigments for use ininks and paints have become nearly ubiquitous being used on currencies,labels and other devices requiring built-in security features that aredifficult to copy with digital copiers. Heretofore, these pigments haverequired expensive industrial equipment for their application in coatingsubstrates and the like. Optically variable pigment having a colorchange with change in viewing angle has been described in numerouspatents in the name of Roger Phillips of Flex Products Inc. and JDSUniphase Corp, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,838,648; 5,059,245;5,171,363; 5,383,995; 5,569,535; 6,114,018. In addition tocolor-shifting pigments, diffractive pigments are used as securitycoatings in various applications requiring anti-counterfeiting features.U.S. Pat. No. 6,841,238 in the name of Argoitia et al. discloseschromatic diffractive pigments also useful in this invention. Grooveorientable diffractive pigment flakes are also known. Another form offlake that is less expensive to produce and that is applicable to thisinvention is a reflecting flake. Reflecting flakes are disclosed byPhillips et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,498. These aforementionedpigments have been used to coat automobiles, clothing, children's toyscurrencies and other highly valuable documents. As of late, severalpatent applications have been filed that relate to magnetic alignment ofthese pigments to produce desired optical effects; however, what hasbeen missing is an inexpensive kit that would allow children and adultsalike to use these special effect pigments to design their own graphicsor personalized graphics.

It is an object of this invention, to provide a kit for printing fieldalignable pigments upon a substrate including means for creating specialeffects or personalizing of the printed graphics.

It is an object of this invention to provide a kit for printing withmagnetically alignable paint or ink, having therein magneticallyalignable flakes, wherein the flakes can first be aligned with a magnetproducing a magnetic field and later scribed with a scribing tool withinthe kit to create personalized graphics, thereby changing the alignmentof some of the magnetically aligned pigment flakes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of this invention there is provided, a kitfor printing comprising a printing ink including a carrier vehicle andfield alignable flakes;

means of generating a magnetic or electric field, for aligning the fieldalignable flakes in dependence upon the magnetic or electric field;

a stylus for moving or changing the alignment of a portion of the flakesthat have been aligned in the magnetic or electric field.

In accordance with the invention there is further provided, a kit forprinting comprising:

a printing ink including a carrier vehicle and field alignable flakes;

means of generating a magnetic or electric field, for aligning the fieldalignable flakes in dependence upon the magnetic or electric field;

a printing stamp for moving or changing the alignment of a portion ofthe flakes that have been aligned in the magnetic or electric field.

In accordance with the invention a kit for providing an image on asubstrate includes:

a stylus or scribe;

a container of ink comprising optically variable magnetically alignableflakes;

a magnet for aligning some of the flakes, and

means for curing the ink.

In accordance with the invention a kit for providing an image on asubstrate includes:

a stylus or scribe;

a container of ink comprising alignable flakes;

a means spreading and for aligning some of the flakes, and

means for curing the ink.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method of printingan image is provided comprising the steps of:

applying a printing ink comprising field alignable flakes to asubstrate.

applying a magnetic or electric field to the applied printing ink sothat the field alignable flakes align along field lines; and,

using a stylus to re-align some of the aligned flakes.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method of printingan image is provided comprising the steps of:

applying a printing ink comprising field alignable flakes to asubstrate.

applying a magnetic or electric field to the applied printing ink sothat the field alignable flakes align along field lines; and,

using a printing stamp to re-align some of the aligned flakes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described inconjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial flow chart illustrating an ordered sequence ofsteps, pictorially in the creation of a optically variable image device(OVID).

FIG. 2 is a pictorial flow chart illustrating an ordered sequence ofsteps in the creation of an OVID.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an apparatus for aligning flakes ina the presence of an electric field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention describes a kit and methods of using the kit to produceoptically variable image devices (OVIDs).

The resulting image is preferably an image having personalized graphicsthereon. The ink or paint used to create the image has flakes thereinthat can be aligned by way of applying the flakes with a squeegee orapplicator or stamp, or can be aligned by exposing the flakes in amagnetic or electric field. Preferably magnetically alignable flakes areused, and a magnet is provided to align the flakes in the magneticfield. The flakes may be colored, reflective, optically variable, and/ordiffractive. In a preferred embodiment images are formed by selectivelymoving at least partially aligned flakes with a scribing tool to createpaths or channels within a fluid, uncured, coated inked or paintedsurface wherein the paths or channels where flakes have been moved orremoved define images, signatures or logos that can be preserved afterthe coating has cured.

The scribing tool mentioned hereafter, preferably has a pointed end orchiseled end, yet is not so sharp as to score or cut the substrate. Thescribing tool preferably has an end that will allow the ink or paint tobe pushed aside, while leaving some ink or paint in the path. A scribingtool could also be provided that has an end or edge that is sufficientlychiseled as a scarping tool to remove essentially all of the ink orpaint in the path, where it is desired to do so. The end may also be aroller ball or similar structure so as to create an effect of a ballpoint pen signature.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a series of steps are shown pictorially asstations or steps, from step (1) through step (11) in the creation of anOVID. More specifically, in step (1) magnetic color-shifting ink (MCSI)is applied with an applicator to a stamp pad shown in (2). In step (3) astamp is inked with the ink and is then applied to a substrate therebycoating a portion of the substrate. Of course optionally, an inkedroller could be used, or any means suitable for applying ink or paintsubstantially evenly to a substrate. Alternatively ink can be appliedthrough a silk screen or any suitable stencil so as to cover desiredregions of the substrate. Subsequently in (4) the substrate is held overa magnet so that the magnetic field propagates through the inkedsubstrate thereby aligning the flakes subjected to the magnetic field.The magnetically aligned flakes are shown in step (5) and the imageappears dark as most of the flakes are substantially upstanding as mostof the field lines in 4 are orthogonal, substantially orthogonal, or atleast somewhat upstanding on their edges to the plane of the substrate.Optionally in steps (6) or (7) either a personalized stamp or a sharpobject is used to push down upstanding flakes in a pattern forming asignature. Of course any number of patterns or any form of graphic canbe realized. By using the scribe in step (7) any form can be created bythe sharp object and any personalized indicia can be scribed into thealigned flakes thereby changing their alignment or simply removingflakes along a path. In step (6) a stamp rearranges the flakes in itspath as its form of a signature is stamped upon the upstanding flakes.In step (7) when the scribe is used, flakes are actually sequentiallymoved from an aligned position to a different position as the scribingtool pushes the flakes down flat or moves the flakes out of its path.Therefore the region showing a scribed signature may have flattenedpressed down flakes or may be substantially absent of flakes as theflakes are pushed aside by the scribing tool. This depends upon howsharp the end of the scribe is, and how much pressure is applied to theend. In FIG. 1 step (8) shows the signed or stamped signature in themagnetically oriented ink. As was mentioned heretofore, the ink or paintcan be any ink or paint having magnetically orientable flakes, forexample flakes of the composition absorber/dielectric/magneticallyalignable layer/reflector/dielectric absorber can be used tomagnetically alignable magenta to green color shifting pigment.Alternatively a flake of the compositiondielectric/reflector/magnetically alignable layer/reflector/dielectricon an embossed substrate can provide a magnetically alignable reflectivediffractive non-color shifting pigment. Notwithstanding, any combinationof flat, diffractive color shifting or non-color shifting flake with orwithout the addition of a dye in the ink vehicle can be utilized inaccordance with this invention. After the image is created it ispreferably passed to a curing station shown in step (10) wherein anultra-violet (UV) or heat source is used to cure the ink so that theimage remains fixed and can be handled. In step (11) the image is thenaffixed to a document for providing security to that document orpersonalizing of the document to which it is attached.

When optically variable flakes are used, the document bearing thesignature will change color as the document is tilted. Both thebackground flakes and flakes in and about the signature will changecolor however contrast is seen so that the signature is visible. Whenthe scribing tool is used, and flakes within the path of the tool aremoved aside, a trough with ridges is formed and the resulting image,graphic or signature has raised and lower portions that can be discernedby touch, resulting in visual and tactile effects.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternate series of steps are shown as steps(1) through (9) which pictorially illustrate the process of forming animage in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. Steps (1)through (3) are the same as in FIG. 1, however the ink or paint need notbe formed of magnetically alignable pigment. Any special effect flakescan be used including optically variable flakes, diffractive flakes orreflective flakes. What is required is that the flakes provide a visualdifference with a change in viewing angle. After the substrate isstamped, with the special effect coating, the flakes like substantiallyflat to the substrate, as they have been pressed down with the flatstamp in step (3). In steps (5) or (6) of FIG. 2 a signature stamp orscribing tool, respectively is used to create a signature within theflat lying flakes shown in step (7). The image is then fixed at a curingstation in step (8) where the heat or UV is applied, depending upon theink or paint vehicle. The image is affixed to a document as is shown instep (9). If optically variable flakes are used, tilting the documentwill show a change of color with tilt angle. If reflecting flakes wereused, having no color shift, tilting the document will show a change inbrightness.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a permanent magnet is usedin step (4) to align the magnetically alignable flakes. Alternatively,an electromagnet can be used to achieve a similar result. Rubber“fridge” magnets are also ideal for realizing a field that will allowthe flakes to either stand up on edge or alternatively lie flat,depending on the orientation of the magnetic material. In anotherembodiment means for generating an electric field can be provided anddielectric or semiconductor flakes such as dielectric diffractive orflat flakes including alternating layers of high index and low indexdielectric materials can be provided as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,815,065 and United States patent application publication number2005/0132929. These flakes can be aligned in an electric field. Otherspecial effect pigments such as pearlescent mica based pigmentsalignable in an electrical field can also be used. Referring now to FIG.3 a device is shown for aligning e-field alignable pigment which is usedin place of the magnetic alignment step in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3 asubstrate 30 is shown having al electrically conductive layer 31deposited thereon. The layer 31 is electrically coupled to the groundterminal of a DC or AC voltage source. A layer 32 of e-field alignablepigment flakes in a curable carrier is applied within between theconductive layer and an upper electrode 33 upon the conductive layer.The conductive layer serves as a ground electrode.

The kit in accordance with this invention preferably includes ink orpaint, or an ink or paint vehicle, and a supply of pigment flakes thatcan selectively added to the ink in a plurality of concentrations. Atypical concentration of flakes within the binder or carrier isapproximately 10% by weight of pigment and 90% of carrier vehicle. Ifthe concentration is too dilute, the effect will be negligible. The kitalso preferably includes an applicator in the form of a flat stamp orsqueegee to spread the flakes upon a substrate. The provision of amagnet and scribing tool is also required in a preferred embodiment.

The substrate upon which the image may be formed can be paper, plastic,metal, and a variety of other support materials. For example, the ink orpaint can even be applied to one's nails, or a sheet of glass.

A surprising effect of this invention is that the ink or paint aboutwhere the scribing tool has scribed has a rolling bar effect if lookedat closely. Although bar is very thin, the effect is striking.

Of course, numerous other embodiments may be envisaged, withoutdeparting form the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A kit for printing comprising: A printing ink including a carriervehicle and field alignable flakes; means for generating a magnetic orelectric field and for aligning the field alignable flakes in dependenceupon the magnetic or electric field; a stylus or printing stamp formoving or changing the alignment of a portion of the flakes that havebeen aligned in the magnetic or electric field.
 2. A kit as defined inclaim 1 wherein the means for generating the magnetic field is apermanent magnet or an electromagnet.
 3. A kit as defined in claim 2wherein carrier vehicle and the field alignable flakes are in separatecontainers so that they can be intermixed in a desired ratio.
 4. A kitas defined in claim 2 wherein the carrier vehicle and the fieldalignable flakes are premixed and within a same container.
 5. A kit asdefined in claim 1 wherein the stylus is for use after the ink has beenapplied to a substrate and after the ink has been exposed to the field.6. A kit as defined in claim 1 wherein the stylus is for use after theink has been applied to a substrate and before the ink is exposed to thefield.
 7. A kit as defined in claim 1 further comprising a stamp pad. 8.A kit as defined in claim 1 wherein the printing stamp is a personalizedstamp.
 9. A kit as defined in claim 8 wherein the personalized stampincludes indicia thereon relating to some aspect of the user.
 10. A kitas defined in claim 1 further comprising a UV or heat source for curingthe printing ink.
 11. A kit as defined in claim 1 wherein the flakes areat least one of optically variable flakes, reflective flakes anddiffractive flakes, or wherein the flakes have optically variable anddiffractive properties.
 12. A kit as defined in claim 1 furthercomprising instructions related to a sequence of steps required forprinting.
 13. A kit as defined in claim 12, wherein the sequence ofordered steps includes applying the printing ink to a substrate, thenexposing some of the printing ink applied to the substrate to a magneticfield so as to align some of the flakes in dependence upon the field,and using a stylus or printing stamp to rearrange the orientation of atleast some of the aligned flakes.
 14. A kit as defined in claim 1wherein the printing ink is in a container having an applicator forapplying the ink.
 15. A kit as defined in claim 1 further comprising astencil having openings through which the printing ink can be applied.16. A kit as defined in claim 1 further comprising a stencil having atleast a channel along which the stylus can be guided.
 17. A kit asdefined in claim 1, wherein instructions are included for creating avisible signature in the magnetically aligned ink, wherein the signatureis contrasted with the magnetically aligned flakes.
 18. A kit forproviding an image on a substrate comprising: a stylus or scribe; acontainer of ink comprising optically variable magnetically alignableflakes; a magnet for aligning some of the flakes, and means for curingthe ink.
 19. A method of printing an image comprising the steps of:applying a printing ink comprising field alignable flakes to asubstrate. applying a magnetic or electric field to the applied printingink so that the field alignable flakes align along field lines; and,using a stylus or printing stamp to re-align some of the aligned flakes.20. A method of printing as defined in claim 18 wherein the stylus isused to flatten flakes in the path of the moving stylus.
 21. A method ofprinting as defined in claim 18 wherein the stylus is used to move someof the aligned flakes to the side of the stylus and out of a path of thestylus as it is guided along the substrate through the printing ink. 22.A kit for providing an image on a substrate comprising: a stylus orscribe; a container of ink comprising optically variable magneticallyalignable flakes; a magnet for aligning some of the flakes, and meansfor curing the ink.